Besides Ollie, Mets Fight Hard But Fall Just Short

NEW YORK-- It would have been an amazing turn of events if the Mets had pulled this one out. Winners of nine straight home games, and the first two of the series, the Mets had a difficult task in front of them. They had to beat Tim Lincecum.

They tried to counter with Oliver Perez. Perez has been erratic his entire career. That's why it was an interesting move when Omar Minaya signed him to the 3-year, $36 million contract two off-seasons ago.

Perez proved to be as wild as ever in Sunday's game. He walked seven batters and at one point went to a full count on 11 straight batters. Along with a hit batsman, Perez allowed four runs, shockingly low for seven walks, on only two hits. He only lasted 3 1/3 innings.

When he left with one out in the fourth with bases loaded, Raul Valdes came on to relieve him. At that point, the Mets only trailed 2-0. When the inning was over, the Mets found themselves down 4-0 to Tim Lincecum. Valdes walked Juan Uribe to force in a run and a passed ball scored another run.

It seemed as if the Mets were hopeless going up against an ace. Then came the sixth inning, where they started to make their move. Ike Davis recorded an RBI single to left, continuing his impressive hitting as he went 2-for-3 with two walks, and Jeff Francoeur followed with an RBI single of his own. Lincecum got Rod Barajas to line out, the Mets cut the deficit to 4-2 and made sure Lincecum wouldn't return for the seventh, having thrown 116 pitches.

In the seventh, magic continued, as it seemed at the time, at Citi Field. The Mets rallied to take the lead against the Giants bullpen, as they scored three runs. After Gary Matthews led off with a pinch-strike out, Pagan singled, Cora and Reyes walked, Bay singled in two on a pop fly to the left fielder to tie the game at four. David Wright followed with a go-ahead sacrifice fly to hand the Mets a 5-4 lead.

It was then decision time for Mets' manager Jerry Manuel. He tried to avoid having to use Fernando Nieve again in the eighth inning. He rolled the dice with 20-year-old Jenrry Mejia. That didn't quite work out as Mejia gave up a go-ahead two-run home run to Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand. Although it may have been a wind-aided home run, it was still a blown save for the youngster.

What was even more surprising was that Nieve turned out to be available after all. He relieved Mejia and finished off the inning.

The Mets didn't score in the bottom of the inning, and Feliciano kept the game 6-5 heading to the home ninth.

The Mets had a major oppurtunity to tie the game in the inning, as Jason Bay led off with a hustle double. Then though, the next three hitters, Wright, Davis, and Francoeur all struck out against Giants closer Brian Wilson, who recorded a five-out save.

David Wright, who struck out looking was immediately thrown out of the game for arguing balls and strikes. It wasn't a smart move considering the Mets, if they had tied the game, would have had to place a pitcher to play third base without any bench players remaining.

So after the Mets fought tough to overcome Ollie's follies, scratch out two against Lincecum, complete the comeback against the bullpen, they lose because of one questionable decision by their manager regarding eighth inning roles.

They could have had a very impressive sweep, but they'll settle for the series win. They did lose ground in the NL East with the Phillies beating the Braves.

They will now take on the Nationals, both teams are 17-14, for three starting Monday.

Next series probable pitchers:
May 10
New York: John Maine (2010: 1-1, 5.97 ERA) vs. Washington: Luis Atilano (2010: 2-0, 4.67 ERA)
May 11
New York: Jon Niese (2010: 1-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Washington: Scott Olsen (2010: 2-1, 3.54 ERA)
May 12
New York: Mike Pelfrey (2010: 4-1, 2.65 ERA) vs. Washington: Craig Stammen (2010: 1-1, 5.63 ERA)

Upcoming schedule:
New York Mets:
May 10-12 vs. Washington Nationals
May 13-16 @ Florida Marlins

Washington Nationals:
May 10-12 @ New York Mets
May 13-16 @ Colorado Rockies